Home Secretary to resign

HOME Secretary Jacqui Smith is to resign from her post in the wake of the MPs' expenses scandal, it was reported today. Children's Minister Beverley Hughes and Bury North MP David Chaytor have also announced plans to quit Parliament.

Ms Smith faced humiliation after her husband submitted a receipt to the Commons for watching adult films.

And she faced criticism for claiming her family home as a second home under the MPs' allowances scheme while lodging with her sister in London.

Speculation

A Home Office spokesman refused to comment on the resignation speculation.

The affair has the hallmarks of the controversy over the resignation last autumn of Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly, whose decision to leave the Cabinet was eventually confirmed by now disgraced Downing Street aide Damian McBride in a notorious 3am party conference briefing.

Jacqui Smith told Prime Minister Gordon Brown two months ago that she wanted to step down as Home Secretary in the next reshuffle, sources close to her said.

Earlier today Children's Minister and MP for Stretford and Urmston, Beverley Hughes, announced she would leave her post in the reshuffle, expected within a week, although she stressed that was for personal and family reasons.

Former health secretary Patricia Hewitt also announced she was leaving Parliament at the next election, but also denied her decision was related to the row over MPs' expenses.

The 60-year-old told her local newspaper that she wanted to spend more time with her family.